Closed for Review

Overview

Catalyst:Ed is looking for an exceptional leader to join our team as Director, Postsecondary Initiatives. In this role, you will assist with the day-to-day execution of projects related to connecting and supporting organizations who leverage support through Catalyst:Ed, as well as analyzing and synthesizing lessons from those interactions into interesting and digestible artifacts for the field. You will also assist in the delivery of other strategic initiatives and work with leaders across the Catalyst:Ed team to build a strong foundation for us to sustain and grow our impact. 

The Strategic Initiatives team leads several content-focused efforts, such as:

• We support the Gates Foundation’s Postsecondary Intermediaries for Scale grantees with both an Exchange and backbone support for their community of practice. This means we regularly convene an advisory group, several working groups, periodic topic-focused conversations for all community members, and more. Additionally we help the IFS develop action plans for their own capability-building efforts and provide project matching services. We also coordinate and convene a network of support partners. 
• We manage the Higher Ed Equity Network with backbone support for their operations, action teams, organizational governance, and fundraising. This means we engage regularly with leaders of institutions and critical organizations in the postsecondary sector to amplify their individual organizational efforts through collective impact. 

Additionally, our work grows in new ways every year and these content areas of focus are likely to expand significantly in the coming years.

This position reports to Catalyst:Ed’s Associate Partner for Postsecondary Initiatives and is a part of Catalyst:Ed’s Strategic Initiatives team.

Who We Are

Catalyst:Ed is an innovative and rapidly growing national nonprofit that is unlocking the collective expertise in the sector to help education leaders innovate, excel, and scale. 

• Activate: We identify and activate expert technical assistance providers, building and nurturing diverse networks of expert talent that education leaders can tap into. 
• Connect: We leverage networks, know-how, and technology to connect education leaders with the right expert support. 
• Catalyze: We design, develop, and manage Expert Hubs in high-need, high-impact areas (see our DEI Expert Hub) 
• Inform: We capture, synthesize, and disseminate critical information to deepen sector knowledge while fostering greater accountability and a focus on results.

Our team is purpose-driven, innovative, and inclusive, with a non-hierarchical and supportive culture where all team members have the opportunity to grow and contribute. Founded and led by a woman of color, Catalyst:Ed is committed to being a space where diversity is valued and all team members are able to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

What You’ll Be Working On:

In this role, you will:

• Lead the SI PS team’s research, knowledge codification, and communication efforts so we are sharing emerging learnings and lessons from our work with our stakeholders and external partners. This includes:
  • • Developing memos, blog posts, or other papers that synthesize lessons and insights gained through our work supporting organizations capacity-building efforts;
      
    • Analyzing data from surveys, quarterly check-ins, and/or interviews with organizations and experts to provide guidance and insight into our work internally and externally;
      
    • Serving as our team’s lead partner with Catalyst:Ed’s Research & Impact and Marketing & Communications teams to ensure our efforts are aligned;
      
    • Providing analytic and program development support for new partnerships and initiatives.
• Manage many day-to-day operations of critical functions of the Exchanges and Initiatives managed by the SI-PS team. This might involve the following:
  • • Conducting consultations with organizational leaders to help them assess their needs and identify capacity-building projects where they can benefit from expert help; develop project scopes based on each organization’s needs, and oversee the matching process.
      
    • Providing as-needed advice to organizations and expert providers during the project.
      
    • Capturing lessons and ensuring accountability through the post-project feedback and reflection process.
      
    • Delivering against plans, with quality, on time, and within budget.
    • Continuously connecting the dots between people, lessons, and insights to maximize organizational and field-facing learning.
• Support collaboration and shared capacity building among cohorts of organizations, including facilitating working groups, webinars, convening session development meetings, or other content-related learning activities.
• Be a strong and collaborative team member to help us continue to innovate and grow our organization. This might involve the following:
  • • Identifying and taking action to create synergies across the Postsecondary and Strategic Initiatives teams, as well as with the broader Catalyst:Ed organization.
      
    • Working with the team to solve day-to-day concerns, innovate solutions and design improvements.
      
    • Supporting the organization in creating a vibrant and inclusive team culture, and developing the systems and processes needed to support the work.

Who We’re Looking For:

We urge you to apply if this mostly describes you:

• Strategic thinking and data-analysis: You are able to analyze and synthesize large amounts of data and information and arrive at clear and actionable insights.
• Strong communication skills: You are an excellent writer and story-teller, and have demonstrated experience writing briefs, case studies, memos, and other short analysis in education or a related field. . 
• Operational excellence: You’re able to plan, and get things done. You have experience leading complex projects with multiple work-streams and tight deadlines. You demonstrate attention to detail and consistent follow-through. 
• Equity commitment: You bring in diverse viewpoints and constantly question how tools, methods, and conclusions may look different based on lived experiences. You highlight diverse voices and knowledge at all turns.
• Service orientation: You seek ways to be helpful and add value to others and know how to build strong relationships. You have experience working with external partners or clients and can quickly establish trust.
• Self-confident integrity: You are grounded in your values and are able to influence others without relying on hierarchy or positional authority. 
• Ownership: You’re a highly motivated self-starter and have proven experience bringing projects from concept to completion, persevering in the face of challenges and doing everything possible to ensure project success. 
• Education and experience: 7-11 years of relevant experience including a mix of research and writing, and/or client-facing experience in a consulting role. Experience in the postsecondary space is a plus. 

Good to Know

• Video: Get to know more about the role and the team by watching this video.
• Location: Catalyst:Ed works nationally, with an office in New Orleans. Team members can work from a location of their choosing. Occasional travel (once a month) may be required when travel restrictions and public health standards allow.
• Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried position with full health benefits (medical, dental, and vision) and a generous 403(b) plan with up to a 5% match. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Salary range: $88,000-$100,000
• Start date: December 2021 (some flexibility for the right candidates).

How to apply

Applications are now closed for review.

Catalyst:Ed has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.